Cal Poly Awarded $356,000 for Ag Education Through State's 'Buy California' Program


Cal Poly has been awarded $356,000 under the state’s “Buy California” program aimed at aiding specialty crop growers, California Secretary of Food and Agriculture William (Bill) J. Lyons Jr. announced Thursday in a news conference at the university.

An Agricultural Literacy Project designed to give agriculture a higher profile in K-12 classrooms statewide will receive $280,000. A new series of Agricultural Policy Seminars for Cal Poly students was awarded $76,000.

The Ag Literacy Project will be augmented by an additional $295,000 in matching contributions from participating nonprofit groups and donated staff time. Project supporters include the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, and the Agricultural Network.

To help conduct the series of policy seminars, Cal Poly will provide more than $97,000 in matching funds and indirect costs. Supporters include Pacific Coast Producers, Mission Produce Inc. and Talley Farms.

The literacy project’s goal is to familiarize teachers with a new curriculum guide -- developed at Cal Poly -- so they can integrate agricultural education with core subjects such as math, science, English and history. The project director is Cal Poly Agricultural Education and Communication Department Head Glen Casey.

In the 10-week ag policy seminars, to be offered during two quarters a year, students will work with the agricultural community and government to research and analyze a wide range of perspectives on issues such as pest prevention, labor, workers’ compensation, water and air quality. College of Agriculture Associate Dean Mark Shelton and Agribusiness Lecturer Ron de Yong will lead the project.